Dedicated to ChiBaby12345! Read their story Just a Summer in Paradise!

Chapter 32: You might have him, but haven't you heard

(Jerome's pov)

"Hey, Jerome." Annie said I a flirty way when she found me alone in my room.

"Annie. We're not dating. Get out of my room."

"You want to be."

"No, I don't, actually. My parents did."

"Stop talking nonsense."

"I don't like you, Annie. I can make choices myself. I don't care if dating you was the only way to get my parents to accept me again. I don't care if your family is rich. I don't care if you're a witch."

"Wizard. Thank you very much."

"I know how many spells you've put me under and I don't care anymore. I don't have feelings for you. I never have and I never will."

"Whatever. You'll regret this Jerome Clarke!" She stomped out of my room.

"Whatever!" I yelled so she could hear me and rolled my eyes.

(Patricia's pov)

"C'mon, Nina! I can't work with you if you don't tell me the plan!"

"Relax, Patricia. Just come here."

"Ok... If you say so."

"Amber's helping me with this, so it's completely full-proof."

"You told her!?"

"Nope. I just told her to help me get you two together."

"Nina!"

"What?"

"Never mind." I sighed.

"Oh, and Alfie's helping, too."

"You have to tell everybody!?"

"Sorry."

"Ok. I forgive you."

"I need you to come to the attic with me, ok?"

"Fine."

"You go first."

"Ok."

I walked through the door and it was immediately shut and locked behind me.

"Nina! Let me out! Is this supposed to be payback for last year or something!?"

"No! I'm trying to help you! Just trust me!"

I sighed and sat down on the ground.

"So you got stuck up here, too, huh?"

"Jerome! You startled me!" I jumped up.

"Sorry. Sorry."

"It's ok."

"So I'm guessing Amber is trying to get us together then?"

"No. Nina, actually. Amber is helping, though. How'd you get stuck up here?"

"Well, Alfie said he found something up here and that I had to go look at it with him. So, I went, and he locked the door behind me. What happened to you?"

I explained my story to Jerome.

"Cool."

"Not really."

"I know."

"So tell me about Annie."

"We broke up."

"I know."

"Then what do you want to know?"

"What is she? You obviously weren't you."

"Well, she's sort of magical." I rose an eyebrow. "Literally. She's a wizard."

"I knew it!"

"You did?"

"No, but we'll just say that."

"You're cute."

"You're hot."

"I know, right?"

I started to kiss him. He started to kiss back.

Then the door unlocked.

"Victor." I knew they were going to keep us in here for at least an hour, and it had only been five minutes, so we were in trouble. "Follow me."

I ran to the secret panel Nina had shown me when we were up here a few nights before. It was only supposed to work for her and I didn't have her necklace. Victor had smashed it open last year, so I looked for an opening.

There wasn't one.

He must have gotten it repaired.

"Ok. We're in trouble!"

Then it opened.

"How? It's only supposed to work for Nina!" I wondered aloud.

"Who cares! Get in there!"

We both ran inside and it closed behind us.

"Let me see your ring."

"Why?"

"Just let me see it!"

"Ok. Here." I handed Jerome my ring.

"Patricia. You see these symbols right here?"

"Yeah?"

"Those mean chosen."

"No! That's impossible!"

"Where did you get this?"

"My grandmother gave it to me."

"Is there any way that you have a weird birthdate?"

"It's the ninth of September. I don't know if that means anything."

"Is there any way you know what time you were born?"

"No."

"I bet it's nine o'clock."

"Be quiet! Someone's coming!"

I got close to Jerome and he kissed me on the forehead. I smiled a little.

"Those little rats won't know what's coming." I heard a voice. The voice that probably haunted both Jerome and I, especially me now that I pretty much had to do what he said. Again.

"Rufus." I heard Jerome mutter.

"New way to live forever must mean a new chosen one, right?"

"Right." I heard another voice.

"I'll find her."

"Yes, you will, sir."

"I will get what I want from Williamson or else they'll all pay."

I whimpered a little and Jerome held me tighter.

"Of course you will, sir."

"Shut up!"

"Sorry, sir."

"Now, where is she?"

"Who, sir?"

"Who came here for you dunderhead!" I whimpered some more as Rufus added, "Dumbass." I knew they were talking about me.

"She will lead us to what we need! I know it's her!"

"Sir, maybe we should look in the rooms. Victor doesn't seem to be here at the moment and the children will do anything to save their own lives."

"Good idea. And this whole time, I thought you were an idiot."

"I'll take that as a compliment, sir."

"Stop saying sir!"

I heard the door lock and knew it was safe to come out.

"Lets go."

"No."

"What?"

"It's not safe. I'm not letting you get hurt."

"But we have to warn everyone!"

"Relax, Trix-er-Patricia. I've got my phone. Everything is going to be ok."

"I don't think it will be, Jerome. A crazy man is going to get what he wants from Williamson or else we'll all pay."

"Maybe he meant someone else."

"What other Williamson do you know!?"

"Um..."

"Exactly!"

"Ok, I know this isn't a great time for this, but, Patricia, there's something I really need to say."

"Ok. You already texted everyone, right?"

"Yep."

"Hurry up, then."

"Ok. I love you." He got on one knee. "Patricia Williamson will you go out with me?"

"What? No diamond?" He gave me a look. "Just kidding! Of course I'll go out with you!" I kssed him on the cheek. "Now lets hope this works so we can get out of here."

I put my ring where Nina was supposed to put her necklace and the panel opened.

"Lets go."

Author's note: Sorry for not posting the last two weeks. I had birthday parties both Sunday's, when I usually post. I won't be able to post either next weekend or the one after because I have a piano recital. Thanks for your understanding! ~L